This must finally be the year that “surf” companies figured out that women don’t particularly enjoy paying $100 for three square inches of bikini fabric held together by strings that immediately slip off your body upon immersion in water.

Roxy introduced worth-a-crap swimwear as part of its fitness line, then doubled down with the cute and colorful line of Kassia Meador wetsuits (although I can’t say I’d want those tanlines).

Not to be outdone, Billabong came out with its Surf Capsule collection of stay-put suits and brightly-colored wetties. Questionable line name aside, I like most everything that’s going on here.

Other big name surf brands are still lagging in this department. Rip Curl’s Love N Surf line includes something called a “booty pant,” and Hurley makes an American flag printed boardSKIRT (why?????). Meanwhile at camp Volcom, I don’t even know what …

The good news is that this has cleared the way for some newcomer upstart brands that are (gasp) actually run by women who surf. One of my favorites is Seea, which I guess is supposed to be pronounced as two syllables (see-ah?) and is pictured above. Their products are striking the right balance of function and femininity, without going too hard on the retro influence or giving you tanlines that look like you fell asleep in the shade.

Their one-pieces are adorable. I would totally wear this to a day-to-night pool party. Seea’s already gotten some good press, and their instagram account is downright lovely. I wish good things for them.

I also wish that we could collectively retire high-waisted bottoms, because that shit didn’t look good the first time around. For as much as companies are pushing the high-waisted thing, I have yet to actually see a real woman wearing it at the beach. There may be hope for humanity after all.

Cindy Stokes loves the Odyssey SUPs, which are available at Surf & Adventure Co. Photo: Shaun Devine.

Wahine Surf Club founder and activist Cindy Stokes has been touting the benefits of waterman sports for women for years. However, the recent emergence of standup paddleboarding, or SUP, onto the forefront of the scene is a prime catalyst for her drive toward encouraging increased female participation in active and healthy lifestyles.

We recently sat down with Cindy to cover her viewpoints on the benefits of the female standup paddleboarding lifestyle.

Wahine Surf Club: Where did SUP originate, and why has it become so popular in recent years?

Cindy Stokes: ”Standup paddleboarding started in Hawaii, but water-centric cultures from around the world have adapted canoes with elongated paddles for upright paddling since ancient times. The Beach Boys of Waikiki were the first to paddle with oversized surfboards and extended outrigger canoe paddles in order to take photographs of tourist surfers as they rode toward the shore. In the early days of the modern edition of the sport, it was referred to as ‘Beach Boy Surfing.’ It’s re-emergence in recent years has led to SUP becoming a very popular sport for nearly all water enthusiasts. With the appropriate equipment, SUP is so easy to learn that almost anyone can do it with success the first time on the water regardless of age, athletic ability or physical conditioning. Even more so, it’s become popular among the ladies because of our lower center of gravity, great balance and overall coordination.”

WSC: Which aspect of SUP translates the best to the female demographic?

Cindy: “I’ve found that most women like to SUP in calm waters and enjoy the tranquility and serenity of Mother Nature.  Also, it’s a great way to hang out and have a “girl’s day out” similarly to a “girl’s night out,” but more in a fun, relaxing, but active way. But instead of cocktails and dinner, you can get this amazing whole body workout while spending time with your friends! A great way to cool off after a paddle is to jump off your board right into the water — how refreshing is that!?  SUP also helps women feel empowered because we have mastered this skill and are able to paddle our area’s rivers, bays and Atlantic Ocean — powerful stuff! Although I longboard, SUP surf, SUP race, and tandem surf; I find paddleboarding in flat water with my girlfriends the most fun because we can chit-chat, explore and enjoy the beautiful scenery Mother Nature provides in our local waterways.”

Cindy SUPs with Kialoa paddles! Photo: Shaun Devine.

WSC: What feedback have your lady paddleboarding friends given you that is most encouraging?

Cindy: “What I love about SUP is hearing the ladies say, ‘I love and enjoy paddleboarding just as much as my husband/boyfriend loves surfing!’ I’m sure the men love to hear that, too! I think there’s something huge to be said about that. Riding your board in the water is fun, whether it’s in the waves on a surfboard or in Back Bay on an SUP!”

WSC: How is SUP one of the most versatile watersports out there?

Cindy: “Paddleboarding can be done on flatwater, river rapids or surf. The boards can also be used as a surface for practicing yoga or even competitive racing.  Different boards accomodate to different conditions and different styles of paddling. An ‘all-around’ board can give you the ease of paddling in flat water, ability to surf in small waves, do some yoga on the board and even race too. The more skilled and advanced you get in paddleboarding, the more fine-tuned the board will need to be to each specific style of paddling the rider chooses.”

WSC: Last, but certainly not least: What are some emerging trends in female SUP?

Cindy: “A big trend I see developing are boards made for women that are durable, light, and easy to carry like the Odyssey touring SUP, which Surf & Adventure Co. currently has in stock. The color of those paddleboards — along with Boardworks’ ‘Sirena’ and NSP’s ‘Surf Betty’ — that makes them more feminine. Above and beyond that trend is a more practical and mature approach some companies are taking in the active wear/swimwear apparel that can be worn while paddling.

“Brands like Seea have now focused on the whole ‘if you look good, you feel good’ concept — and why not?! Paddleboarding is very cool and it does make you feel good both mentally and physically. I have seen surf wear options emerge that are stylish, colorful, comfortable, light, easy to put on and made for the water. If you fall in the water, no worries because some pieces are made from quick-dry material like the kind offered by SeasonFive apparel. At the end of the day, the performance, functionality and versatility of the swimwear has to meet the demands of the activity: In this case, SUP!

“With brands like Seea and SeasonFive produces these kinds of pieces, and Odyssey making female-tailor boards; women can take paddleboarding from being a simple physical activity and make it a fashion statement as well!”

Want to try SUP? Call Surf & Adventure Co. at (757) 721-6210 or visit their site to book a lesson or rental today!

Q&A by John Streit and Cindy Stokes. Photos by Shaun Devine.

Cindy Stokes wearing the “Bolinas” skirted one-piece. Photo: Robbie Hickman

It finally seems like the surf industry is adapting to the athletic needs of us Wahines!

The latest, and in our opinion, greatest line of fashionable — yet functional — surf wear comes to us from SEEA, a new company which boasts swimsuit tailored for the woman surfer who is looking for performance without compromising security or style.

Drawing influence from the early days of surfing culture, Seea’s designs are sure to become a staple in any waterwoman’s gear setup. In addition to the aesthetic appeal of the suits, they also perform without any hitches or glitches in the surf.

Additionally, many of the one-piece designs can be worn fashionably both in and out of the water, allowing the surfer to take a more free-flowing approach to her beach day. An errand to run before or after a session, no problem in a piece like the “Bolinas” skirted one-piece. The line is so versatile, even the “Hermosa” can be paired with shorts or a skirt for a clean, classic look on the town.

But at the core of Seea’s approach is a dedication to the needs of the female surfer. Our founder Cindy Stokes recently put Seea to the test at the NKF Surf Fest in Coco Beach, Fla. With her husband Brian Stokes providing the lifts, Cindy pushed the surf wear to its athletic extreme, and came back to Virginia Beach raving about the product.

Cindy says, “Choosing the right type of swimsuit can be a daunting task for most women. Other than the cost, there are numerous other factors to consider such as the overall fit, the design which enhances the woman’s physique, comfort, style and function.  

“With Seea, it offers all of that with the versatility to wear in an outdoor event/outing and taken right into the water whether I swim, surf or paddleboard…it makes me feel invincible!”

Surf & Adventure Co. (577 Sandbridge Road, Virginia Beach) currently carries Seea, and is set to receive more pieces from them headed into spring and summer! Pay those folks a visit and check out a few select pieces today!

Enjoy the following photos of Cindy enjoying the performance SEEA has to offer!

By John Streit

Cindy wearing the “Hermosa” one-piece by Seea. Photo: Robbie Hickman.

Cindy in the “Doheny” rashguard. Photo: Robbie Hickman.

A closer look at the “Hermosa” one-piece. Photo: Robbie Hickman.

Cindy in the “Bolinas” skirted one-piece. Photo: Robbie Hickman.

Makers are a crossroads of sorts, or a filter, or a lens through which passes the rapidly shifting environments around them. What sets Makers apart from non-makers is their willingness to subject themselves to public surveillance and judgement through the reconfiguration of what passes through them into a unique vision or object that influences the culture they are processing. This is a moniker that seems to supplant the over-used and apparently too broad category of “artist” or “Artist with a capital ‘A’”–as I was sagely schooled recently by a bedraggled and mustachioed young man who was setting up a photo of an oversized crystal atop a synthetically aged book for his instagram feed. 



Everyone is an “artist” or an “Artist” these days thanks to new technologies and the democratization of publishing afforded by the internet–and blessed be, you carnival of curried flavors–but there are those whose skill surpasses the click-n-shoot, instagram- filtered, youtube amateurism that is more self-absorbed visual documentation than art… or Art, as it pleases you, Mr. Mustache.

Capturing and sharing our experiences is a tradition as old as cave painting, as old as song, as old as language. This is a part of being human and not some unique narcissism of the 21st century. Those we are calling Makers today are not of this ilk however, and so, I suppose, the need for the new terminology.

Film is an especially powerful category of making. We are predominantly visual creatures and when visuals are mixed with storytelling, what we as viewers are asked to receive is nothing less than a modern twist on those ancient and honorable traditions that attempt to communicate what is possible when we overcome the obstacles we encounter as we forge our lives in the flames of experience…

A sold out crowd gathered beneath the corrugated dome of Bird’s Surf Shed in the 92110 region of San Diego this past Saturday, March 9th to celebrate and honor a special set of storytellers and their films.

Though the filmmakers varied in age and gender, they shared a common vision: to showcase women in surfing, to share women’s stories, and to bring to surf culture the living history of women’s surfing as it is being lived by female surfers themselves.

Michelle Ocampo, Liz Bradshaw, and the San Diego Surf Ladies once again organized an incredible event for the showcasing of these films. As the crowd munched on food provided by Islands Restaurants and chugged down some stellar beer from Green Flash Brewing Co., Krista Coppedge followed by Ashley Lloyd Thompson and The Shapes augmented the spatial ambiance of Bird’s Surf Shed with some amazing tunes.

I attended the inaugural event last year as a surfer in one of the films chosen by the SDSL: Chris Grant’s Lunchtime with Cori. The experience was inspirational and so I was thrilled to be asked to participate this year on the screening panel alongside Glenn Sakamoto of Liquid Salt and Zach Weisberg of The Inertia.

This year’s event was open to international entrants, my favorite of which was Girls Girls Girls, a film that offered a glimpse of the lives of three
Italian women whose friendship and creative careers revolve around the ocean. Amanda Chinchelli of SEEA, a company with a unique and admirable vision of women’s swimsuits for surfing, is featured in this film.

The majority of film entries were created by California locals, with the exceptions of Away by Elisa Bates (New York), So It Goes by the Cos We Can crew (AUS), and one half of the New Years Resolutions team (Danielle Ciminero is from Rhode Island).

Chris Grant and Hayley Gordon once again lit up the big screen with their film shorts. 

Chris Grant’s film features Danielle Burt, a woman who is not defined by the loss of one of her legs in a horrific motorcycle crash, but by her tenacity and desire for experiencing life without “you are not able”. The marriage of Danielle’s words with Chris’ lens and ear for story is a perfect pairing. Chris is himself someone who has courageously captured women’s surfing through the years, despite experiencing set-backs and doubts that his online surf magazine, Jettygirl, could survive the monopolizing of the image of women’s surfing by corporate surfing (a crippling trend that dissolved such projects as Wahine Magazine when editor Elizabeth Glazner and publisher Marilyn Edwards refused to buckle to the pressure of advertisers).

Chris has steadfastly pursued unique stories and has dared to dream of a more broadly defined “women’s surfing” than the one offered by Big Surfing. He does so in much the same way that Danielle has tackled surfing after her accident… some things you just know you must do, so you embrace the challenges, the highs and the lows, you acquire a talent for riding the storms that collapse others, relentlessly focused on what you know you must do.

Hayley Gordon, who offered us the stimulating Party Mix boardshort this year, has quickly become the visual voice of the next generation of female surfers who are more than the sum of their sponsors and industry achievements. In her videos, we are able to sneak a glimpse of the lives of women who are themselves Makers: women who are shaping their own surfboards, stalking the chilly coastline west of the Pacific Crest Trail, and crafting their art when not sliding. Hayley’s cinematography and editing skills are top of the line. I cannot watch one of Hayley’s films without frothing for a surf or dreaming of getting my hands into some foam. This is the beauty of Hayley’s films… they inspire more than a lifestyle, they inspire women to get out there and do.

In fact, this is the beauty of this year’s boardshort festival. The stories presented each speak to going out and doing: in business (Girls Girls Girls), regardless of conditions or location (Away), with a patient, tenacious grace (Grant and Burt) or as women with warrior hearts (Water Warriors by Anna Jerstrom), and always to the beat of your own drum (So It Goes and Strength & Courage by Heather Hudson, Executive Producer of The Women and the Waves).

Each of the films showcased communicates a unique story and shows the diversity of women who surf. Rather than portraying some monolithic lifestyle, these films capture the variety of lives and experiences of ladies in the water. The celebration of these lives, our lives, erupted in cheers and laughter last Saturday as women and men of all ages congregated beneath Bird’s surfboard-insulated roof. Being a part of such an inclusive community (a community that celebrates rather than ignores diversity) effects feelings of inspiration and capability: the kind of empowerment that isn’t simply paying lip-service to a trend in order to get you to buy into a lifestyle by buying product.

As the night wound its way toward completion, I couldn’t help but think of what Marie Wilson said in the MissRepresentation documentary: “You can’t be what you can’t see.” The San Diego Surf Ladies (who are themselves “Makers”) have created a platform whereby female surfers of all ages can see what they can be (and do!). The necessity of this to curtail and disrupt the current monolithic, hypersexual, body-focused, beach lifestyle zeitgeist, as portrayed by Big Surfing, is difficult to overstate.

I can’t wait to see what stories the filmmakers bring to next year’s event!

RITRATTI DI SURF | GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS | Full Length from BLOCK10 on Vimeo.

Matteo Ferrari

Following a great response to this years call for entries this years film selection (in no particular order) is as follows

So it Goes - Clare Plueckhahn (AUS)

Party Mix - Hayley Gordon (CA, USA)

Girls Girls Girls – Onde Nostre (Italy)                                                                   

Strength and Grace - Heather Hudson (USA)

Away - Elisa Bates (NY, USA)

Water Warriors – Anna Jerstrom (USA)

New Years Resolution – Danielle Ciminero (USA)

Awesummer - Drew Miller (FL, USA)

Danielle Burt: Chapter 2 – Chris Grant (CA, USA)

Tickets are going fast for the event on Sat, March 9th get yours HERE!

http://saltgypsy.com/

RITRATTI DI SURF | GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS | part1 from BLOCK10 on Vimeo.

I had the pleasure of spending a month in Italy last year. The food, the architecture, the mediterranean…It was incredible. Assuredly, you’ve heard about the many high notes of Italy before.

Surfing culture there is so interesting, though. With surfing being such a relatively new pursuit, the culture is imbibed with a giddy exuberance that never dulls.  Surfing there is also still exceptionally counter-culture. That is, counter to the assumed polished and refined image of what it means to be Italian that we all have in mind from Italian couture and high fashion brands. The shaggy haired, bare-footed, guided by the tides hippie surfer look is seriously novel.

I found Italy to be quite traditional. In many ways, this is wonderful. Tuscany, for example, is a burgeoning organic farming hub because of the strength of community in banding together against conventional farming methods. Tradition there is winning over efficiency and mechanization. How wonderful!

But, in the line-ups there were hardly any women—the odd one or two. It was very clearly a domain predominated by men.

That’s why I was so stoked to see this little film clip of three amazing Italian women lady sliders. The Italian women that I know are passionate, warm and stylish. I can’t wait to see what they bring to the table of (Italian) surfing culture as it grows…

Red Milk Magazine (Italy).

Thankyou – it`s a relief to see something other than raunch.

Photographer: Stefania Paparelli (cargocollective.com/stefaniapaparelli)
Stylist: Elisabetta Dal Bello
Model: Tanya K @ NEXT (nextmodels.com)
Grooming: Antonio Montis using Stefania D’Alessandro Make-up (sdmakeup.com)

*Images sourced from the RedMilk Magazine website. 

Part one of Onde Nostre’s “Girls Girls Girls” follows three inspiring gypsy ladies as they share laughs and waves at home in their beautiful Italian dreamscape. Stylish in every possible way, these girls are each following their dreams in different creative fields and come together to demonstrate what it means to be a “graceful slider of the sea.”

Retreat location 2014??

I knew there was something missing in my shredding last season.   SEEA, check it out.

I am not a very good surfer. I am actually pretty terrified of the deep, sharks and drowning. But I still get out there. Not as much as I should. But when I do I have the biggest smile on my face. The crazy thing is I’ve aways had this love and passion for it even though I grew up in the PNW. Maybe because I was born in LA my soul just knew? Probably not. It must just be that I love a challenge. If it’s going to be hard, I wanna do it. If it’s going to scare me and make me feel vulnerable and alive, then I want to do it even more. I’m not afraid of looking like a dork either. I actually somehow find confidence in that. Less pressure you know? It’s like ok guys I’m not the best at this but I’m coming in…then people just leave you alone. I like that. I’m over trying to be cool. There are way too many people in the water unfortunately that think they own it. You know, I’m not very good at surfing, I like it, but I am never going to get agro about it. If I catch a wave (on a long board that is) then I’m a happy girl.

I grew up playing competitive sports. I always felt like I had to be the fastest girl in track, or one of the best soccer players or dancers. I have a competative gene (I also grew up in a house full of boys so I think that might have something to do with it). I don’t feel though that I need to be the best at surfing. Not at all. Oh my that reminds me. My father didn’t like that I played sports. He wanted me at home helping my mom. He hardly went to any of my soccer games, but was always there cheering on the boys…agh…he’s gotten a lot better since those days of course that was years ago, and even then I guess it wasn’t that bad. I would catch him bragging about my athletic abilities to my uncles or family on the phone and I’d be reminded that he did care, he was just an old fashion set in his ways Mexican machismo man. Ha!

Anywho, I will never forget the very first time my brother took me and one of my best gals (who also surfs and I love very much) out in San Diego when I was 18. It seems so long ago, and I will never forget the first time I caught my very own wave in Maui (I think the warm water had something to do with it) and my first board and wetsuit. The feeling of being in the water is one of the best. Paddling out or floating on the board watching the sunset or dolphins, even if you don’t catch very many waves, it’s still great. Just getting out is good enough for me. There needs to be more ladies out in the water for sure though. I need and would love more lady power. Maybe I should join a women’s long board club? Hmmmm…I wonder if there is such a thing? My husband is great, but he’s always off seeking bigger waves with his shorter board and well that’s not my style.

I admire smart and creative business women that get out there and make products or provide services with meaning and heart. I strive for that daily. I am glad that I came across Seea because maybe wearing some awesome fashion that is practical might disguise being a dork out in the water. I have always preferred more conservative bathing suits as it is, so these are perfect in my humble opinion:) I hope you enjoy their products and their vibe as much as I do. Hint to the hubby if he’s reading this (my b-day is just around the corner;) Pura Vida!

SOLD on their website at Seea and saw that Gregg’s Art & Surf Co. (a combined art gallery & specialty surf shop that promotes local artists, shapers and carries eco-conscious surf gear with sustainability in mind) carries them here in our very own Ocean Beach…

Seea’s Solimar Bikini is what we’ve been waiting for. As described on kordoruy.tv’s website, the suit “frees you from being tied down with its fixed triangle, no-ties halter strap around the neck, and hook closure in the back. Like the laid-back sun-and-sea attitude that defines California, liberate yourself with Seea’s Solamar bikini.”

Cute (very). Comfortable. Flattering. And no-peep shows, even on the bigger days.

Visit Amanda Chincelli Greer’s site The Seea to purchase it and view her other adorable, handmade swimwear.

Billabong is stepping up its style game after seeing Roxy’s success with its wetsuits designed by Cynthia Rowley and longboarder goddess/photographer Kassia Meador.  The vests, jackets and one pieces from its Surf Capsule are sexy and practical: not something you can say about wetsuit gear often!

Unfortunately, these suits are too thin to don for our summer frigid waters in Tofino but I would love to pack one or two in my case for surf travels.

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